Cost of heating these days . . .

michael_15

And then figure the relative difference in cost on your utility bill between gas and electric. To some extent, the fuel type and heating type doesn't matter so long as you're getting the BTU's into your home. There are some issues such as the fact that radiant heat can allow you to be comfortable with a lower ambient temperature, but those aside, you can use the following:

Gas bills are measured in therms. For example, last time I checked (which was probably last year so this is out of date), I paid around $1.60/therm. A therm is 100,000 BTU. My system is, let's say, 80% efficient (that is, 20% of the heat from combustion goes up the chimney), so a therm is worth around 80,000 BTU of usable heat for me. I'm rounding all over the place.

GAS: $1.60 per 80,000 BTU.

Electricity is measured in kWh. Last I checked, I paid about $0.15/kWh. A kWh is about 3400 BTU, which comes out to around $3.50 per 80,000 BTU. (Electricity is 100% efficient in terms of conversion to heat.)

ELECTRIC: $3.50 per 80,000 BTU.

From the face of it, for me (prices may differ where you live), electric is far too expensive. If you factor in variance due to heating type (radiant maintaining a lower ambient heat level, for instance), you can move the needle around, but not enough to make electric a winner. This is true even if I didn't know the heat loss of my home.

The government Home Energy Saver,

http://hes.lbl.gov/

can help you out if you want to get some estimates on the actual dollar costs rather than relative costs.

-Michael

Charlie_11

Cost of heating these days . . . ?

Can anyone direct me to a website that might help me evaluate/calculate the differences in heating with gas (radiant under floors) vs. electric (baseboards). Thanks, Carol

Bob W._3

here is a web address for a fuel cost calculator, FWIW; you have to plug in the variables.

http://energyexperts.org/fuelcalc/default.asp

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Be aware that energy markets and prices are currently out of whack due to disruptions, speculation and (daresay) profit taking.

Barring a revolutionary change in the way it's generated/transmitted, electric is almost certain to be the most expensive way to heat in the long-term in all but a very few climates/areas.